It is no secret that the skills and approach of RTW Coordinators have a significant impact on return to work outcomes. Given their crucial role in the workplace a key question logically follows; do RTW Coordinators receive a level of training that allows them to perform their function to the best of their abilities? According to University of Newcastle PhD student Joanna Bohatko-Naismith, the answer remains unclear.

To this end, Ms Bohatko-Naismith is undertaking a study on RTW Coordinators that seeks to shed some light on the role they perform, the skills they require, and most importantly, the adequacy of the training they currently receive. How does she propose to do this? Ms Bohatko-Naismith is going straight to the source, the RTW Coordinators themselves.

THE RESEARCHER - JOANNA BOHATKO-NAISMITH

Ms Bohatko-Naismith has completed a Bachelor of Occupational Health and Safety (BOHS) and Master of Workplace Injury Management and Occupational Rehabilitation (MWIMOR) at the University of Newcastle, where she is a current PhD student in the School of Health Sciences. 

This new study continues her involvement in workplace related research projects conducted by the University of Newcastle. Previous experience includes acting as a research assistant on a large study investigating the occupational rehabilitation of injured nurses, and facilitating focus groups for a study on the experience of male occupational therapy students.

THE STUDY

Ms Bohatko-Naismith recently spoke to RTW Matters about the study and the upcoming RTW Coordinator focus groups.

RTW Matters: What is the study about?

Joanna Bohatko-Naismith: This study aims to identify the skills and training required by the Return to Work (RTW) Coordinator to perform their role successfully.

What will the study involve?

The study invites RTW Coordinators to participate in a focus group which will last between one and 1.5 hours. Participants will be invited to share their professional experiences of coordinating the RTW of injured workers as it relates to the workplace and their training.

The findings resulting from the focus groups will inform subsequent studies in which the views and experiences of other key stakeholders will be sought.

Why a study on RTW Coordinators?

During the nurse rehabilitation study I assisted with, it became very clear to me that RTW Coordinators are pivotal in returning injured and ill workers to their pre-injury duties.

Evidence supports early intervention in the RTW process leading to significant positive results, with the preferred setting for rehabilitation being the workplace. In most states of Australia this process is facilitated by a workplace RTW Coordinator.

What makes this an important study?

Despite the importance of the role of the RTW Coordinator, little research has been undertaken nationally to clearly determine the background required for the RTW Coordinator role and whether current training is meeting the needs of the RTW Coordinator.

Currently, RTW Coordinators in Australia come to the role from a variety of backgrounds and do not necessarily have all the skills and attributes required to perform the role. They are provided with arguably minimal training and are expected to manage injured workers throughout this process.

It is important that RTW Coordinators be recognised and supported in the pivotal role they play in motivating and supporting injured workers to RTW.

What do you hope to achieve?

In order for successful rehabilitation and RTW to occur, the RTW Coordinator must have a solid understanding of the process to confidently promote a safe and durable RTW for the injured worker.

It is important to understand and appreciate the role of the RTW coordinator from their perspective and experience so that we can provide them with the necessary training to be able to perform the role competently.

This is the first step in reducing long term workplace disability and it will assist in achieving greater national consistency for the role of the RTW Coordinator. 

An evaluation of the RTW Coordinators’ experiences and perceptions during the RTW process will assist in providing valuable information to inform numerous groups, including RTW Coordinators, doctors, policy makers, employers and the research community involved in the RTW process about the required skills and training needed to successfully perform the role of the RTW Coordinator.

What kind of people are you looking for to be involved in the study?

The study requires the assistance of RTW Coordinators in every state employed in the capacity of workplace RTW Coordinators for over 2 years and who have some experience with developing and implementing workplace policies and procedures. RTW Coordinators from both large and small organisations are invited to participate in this study.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Maximizing the productivity of RTW Coordinators means maximizing positive outcomes for workers and the workplace as a whole. By tapping into the experiences of the Coordinators themselves, Ms Bohatko-Nasismith's study has the potential to identify the inadequacies in existing training practices that are limiting their performance potential.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

To find out more about this study please contact Ms Bohatko-Naismith at Joanna.bohatko-naismith@newcastle.edu.au or access the focus group advertisement (PDF) by clicking on the banner below.